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Dining alone... Reservations?

Discussion in 'Restaurants & Buffets' started by Madchef, Mar 8, 2016.

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  1. Madchef

    Madchef Tourist

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    My first guess is I can probably walk into most restaurants in Vegas as I am headed solo and should be able to catch a seat at the bar.my only concern is its march madness weekend so not sure if I might get shut out. I do like to eat at the nicer joints.
    Any solo diners out there with some advice? Thanks in advance!
     
  2. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    The only time I ever did a reservation was when I tried to walk up at a steakhouse and they were booked. I just did a reservation to come back an hour or so later. I think it depends if you want to eat at the prime dinner hours. I tend to go right when they start dinner or after 8:30 and I can usually walk up even during a busier time.
     
  3. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    Use the OpenTable app on your smartphone to make reservations or just to check which restaurants have availability. You are sure to get in if they have availability on OpenTable and you might still get in at the bar or lounge area if they don't. What I'll do with my wife, is book a table at a restaurant to ensure we have something and then if something better comes along, we cancel the reservation.
     
  4. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Like you, I really enjoy eating at some nice places in Vegas. And I'm solo as often as I'm with friends/family. My first suggestion is to call the restaurant!

    I've noticed that most of the popular places don't take reservations for one during prime weekend times online. (Try it... attempt to reserve for one; then try to reserve for two for the same time/date.) But almost every time I've actually called the place, they've accommodated my request for a table for one. And I believe I'm batting 1.000 when the restaurant in question is in the hotel I'm staying.

    Of course, you can usually get a spot at the bar if you can't get a reservation. Though during MM, you might have to wait until the games are finished if the bar has TVs.
     
  5. Madchef

    Madchef Tourist

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    Thanks yeah I would certainly go late or early to help my odds. All great advice. Like most I don't like to tie down with a res as I'm not sure where I will be at that time of night. Watching a sports bet, etc. but may lock down a dinner or two after I see the game schedule.
     
  6. martinr

    martinr Rock Chalk Jayhawk

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    I found that OpenTable sometimes doesn't show availability for specific times for a party of one. I have made reservations for a party of two even though I was by myself just to get a table when their time slots didn't show available for just one person.
     
    First Time Staying on the South End. Will I Hear Southern Accents?
  7. klevegas

    klevegas Low-Roller

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    I travel to Vegas frequently and dine at the bar at several nicer restaurants. if I'm going to a restaurant in a hotel with a major show I normally try to time my visit during the show so I miss the ore show/after show crowd. Have fun!
     
  8. JoJoR

    JoJoR VIP Whale

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    I've had the same experience too when trying to book a table for one.
     
  9. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    In my experience, a lot of Vegas restaurants release a fairly limited amount of their inventory to OpenTable. I remember one time, I called about a 7pm reservation, and OpenTable showed only 5:30pm and 8:30pm. I called, and the response was, "Well, we don't have 7pm, but we have 6:45pm and 7:15pm, do either of those work?" So it's potentially worth trying OpenTable in the first instance, but definitely call if you don't see a time you like.

    To answer the OP's question, I generally do my Vegas trips solo and often eat at the bar, but some places aren't conducive to that. In particular, I always make a reservation when I go to Picasso, because (1) they don't have bar dining, and (2) there's a specific table I like.
     
  10. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

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    I've made reservations through Openable for one in various places. However, I always try to pick an early or late seating. In Vegas I usually opt for early because I'm from the East cost and my body takes a couple days to get accustomed to Pacific time.
     
  11. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

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    I am a frequent solo diner. I am two hours later than Las Vegas, so 5:30 LV time is 7:30 my time.

    At the restaurants that are a bit fancier, I always make a reservation for 5:30 PM and have positively no problem getting a reservation, that way they know how to staff if you make a reservation.

    Many times, I just walk up, say I am a solo and that I will eat at the bar. No problems.

    I have done this during Superbowl, NFL Playoffs, NFL season, March Madness, holidays, College Bowl Season. Many Sportsbook bettors are not going to go to a fancier restaurant. The only month I have never been to Las Vegas that I can remember is November. I have been there the other eleven months and never had a problem as a solo.
     
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